Thursday, October 13, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO BLUES COMMUNITY RALLIES

IN SUPPORT OF HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS

BIRTHPLACE OF 'BLUES' SO DRAMATICALLY DESTROYED TOUCHES PERFORMERS' HEART AND GUITAR STRINGS ALIKE

TORONTO – Local Blues staples Raoul Bhaneja and Danny Marks have rallied the Jazz and Blues community, set to produce a star-studded collective of talent in support of Hurricane Katrina victims as their heartfelt response to the area’s recent blow from Mother Nature. To honour and profess their inherent love for all things Blues and its deep South birthplace, and with support from the Toronto Blues Society, these stage mainstays together with The Drake Hotel, Jazz-FM91, Southern Accent and the Phoenix Concert Theatre are ready to open hearts and wallets alike all for the cause Tuesday, October 25 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre, 410 Sherbourne St.

The evening -- a veritable who’s who of famed Jazz and Blues performers -- will feature Colin Linden, Chris and Ken Whiteley, Sue Foley, Paul James, Donnie Walsh, Rhythm and Truth, former New Orleans resident Kevin Clark, Richard Underhill, Alex Pangman, Joe Sealy, Jon Knight, Goddo and Danny Marks and The Hurricane House Band among many more. Bhaneja and Marks have also invited to perform local Burlesque broads Les Coquettes as well as actor Phil Atkin. The production will be directed by Canadian theatrical legend Paul Thompson.

With tickets priced at $20, all proceeds will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross and MusiCares. Doors open at 7pm with the show at 8pm, and tickets are available through Ticketpro (www.ticketpro.ca or 416.645.9090). For more info or to book interviews with any of the artists or organizers, visit www.torontobluessociety.com, or for media relations, please call Eric Alper at 416.292.8111 x 240, eric@kochcan.com